Atkins Playing in Prestigious Southern Amateur Championship

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – University of South Carolina Aiken golfer Matt Atkins is in a tie for 36^th after the first round of play at the 105th Southern Amateur Championship at the par 71, 7,250-yard Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club.

Atkins carded a 1-over par 72 in the first round of play. He finished his round with three birdies.

The Owensboro, Ky. native earned his way into the Southern Amateur Championship by winning the Southern Amateur Qualifier at the Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach in June. Atkins carded a 2-under par 70 to win the qualifier.

As a sophomore for USC Aiken in the 2010-11 season, Atkins garnered two top 10 finishes, including a fifth place finish at the 14th Annual Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate at the Palmetto Golf Club. Atkins’ 67 in the second round of the annual event was the low round of the year for the Pacers.

The Henderson State transfer finished his first season as a Pacer with a 75.1 stroke average in 28 rounds played.

The winner of the prestigious Southern Amateur Championship will receive an exemption into the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando.

The 105th Southern Amateur Championship, which is staged by the Southern Golf Association, will feature one round a day from July 13-16. 

To follow all the action live in the 105th Southern Amateur Championship, please click the link below: https://www.ghintpp.com/SGAGOLF/TPPOnlineScoring/Results.aspx?id=48